it's a holiday *giveaway*

Good morning! I'm pleased to announce a little giveaway to celebrate my new blog design, my new Etsy store design, and the general joyfulness of the holiday season. One winner will receive both a $25 gift certificate to Favoring Brave on Etsy and one large ad space here on my blog!

Instructions to enter are below!

May the odds be ever in your favor.

(I couldn't resist!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

linking up with:

Almost Friday Thursday Blog Hop

blue fog

I am sick. Even in these pictures, the first hints of congestion and general ache-iness were apparent to me, but for the last two days it has been full blown under-the-weather-ness. Therefore this post is going to be short. I'm not interested in letting anything get in the way of my orange juice drinking, Scooby Doo watching, lazy being day.

50 states of brave introduces: ms. south dakota!

If you're just joining us, 50 States of Brave is a blogging project that celebrates the little opportunities we have to be brave everyday and the women who make these habits a way of life. As part of the project, everyone blogger is sending in a story of the bravest thing they've ever done for all of us to get to read, which makes us pretty excited. 

The whole project is sponsored by Favoring Brave, my Etsy store. Each lady gets to pick an item from the store to model in her post and keep as a souvenir of her bravery!

Wanna see all of the brave ladies already featured? Visit our lovely archives or Pinterest page of bloggers and their Favoring Brave picks!

Wanna join in the fun and represent your state? There's more info about that at the bottom of this post.

Alright here's the good stuff:

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Big round of applause for Ms. South Dakota...

Katie of Butterfly Loves Snapdragons!

Here's what Katie has to say about bravery...

I'm not a  brave girl. I am that girl that tells everyone to take the safe route. When I was in school I was known as the 'swear police' and 'Mrs. Goodie two-shoes'.  So when I was asked to write a post on the bravest thing I've ever done, I have to admit it was a challenge.  I am safe when it comes to driving, safe when it comes to my social life, and even safe when it comes to what I eat. I am a modest-dressing, easy going gal who teaches elementary students. But you know what? In today's world I think all of those things are pretty brave.

 

 

We grow up in a society which is so focused on gaining attention of some kind. People use their bodies, their talents, even their children to gain the adoration and recognition of total strangers. I pride myself on having the courage to simply be content with the simple things in life. I don't require much to make me happy. All I need is a bit of family, a few gorgeous sunsets, and an evening walk to make me appreciate all of God's splendor around us.  I think it takes courage to admit that I don't want to gain worldly attention the way in which so many seek to. I want to gain the attention of my Father in Heaven. I want to make Him proud with my inner beauty, not some arbitrary outer beauty that this world so expertly tries to deem desirable. I don't need to please anyone with the way that I dress or the words that I say. I am holding myself to a higher standard. My main goal in this life is to love others. To spend each day consciously thinking of ways to be an example of Christ's love-not always through my words but through my actions. 

I know that God has made me bold in my faith in order to bring people to Him. People who are in need of His incredible, unconditional love. I am not timid about sharing that part of my life, and I hope never to be so. I want to be remembered for how God was able to use my life for His glory, because His plan is so much better than what I could ever plan for myself.  And that makes me brave :)

2 Timothy 1:7- For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

  Wearing: In The Green Necklace from FavoringBrave

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Think you have what it takes to represent your state? Awesome! Here's what you have to do to apply:

1. Follow Favor the Brave through GFC or Bloglovin.

2. Send me an email at favoringbrave@gmail.com with your name, you blog address, what state you're from, and why you should get to represent your state as it's resident brave lady!
3. For more information on the project and what is required, read this.

Some states are filled already, but there are lots of openings left!

peace&love,

Jill

as seen on TV - holly sprig *tutorial*

Yesterday morning I was on KTUL Tulsa to do a quick tutorial on making holly sprigs for holiday ornaments and gift toppers! Here's a link to the video! (The picture's a fake-out - click this link instead!)

peace&love,

Jill

color beats

Sometimes, all it takes to make you happy is something simple.

Something incredible,

but simple.

Simple and happy.

Like mint green headphones.

Happy Thursday everyone!

peace&love,

Jill

it's that time

It is reaching that lovely point in December that all busy people reach where not everything is getting done. For me, that usually means I'm not getting dressed in outfits fit for public consumption. So here is a peek at what I have been doing to attempt to distract you from what I haven't been doing.

I blame the cold.

Some of these flowers, as well as others and all kinds of Favoring Brave goodies will be available at Alliday Everyday, Dec. 15th (Saturday!) at the Fairgrounds, Tulsa, OK.

peace&love,

Jill

deluxe recap

I had a blast at Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar this last weekend in Oklahoma City. There were some awesome booths there, great shoppers, and even a break-dancing competition! Love it! Here are some quick snaps of my booth, which has been taking up every last moment of my time for the last couple weeks. I'm happy with how it turned out! I'll be talking about making some pieces I used in this display on upcoming Craft Fair-ology posts.

peace&love,

Jill